Excepted Service Appointing Authority: Schedule A

NSEP award recipients may be appointed to Federal Government positions under the Schedule A Excepted Service Appointing Authority. NSEP award recipients’ eligibility under this authority is specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, (CFR), Title 5, Volume 1, Section 213.3102 (r).

5 CFR 213.3102 (r):

Positions established in support of fellowship and similar programs that are filled from limited applicant pools and operate under specific criteria developed by the employing agency and/or a non-Federal organization. These programs may include: internship or fellowship programs that provide developmental or professional experiences to individuals who have completed their formal education; training and associateship programs designed to increase the pool of qualified candidates in a particular occupational specialty; professional/industry exchange programs that provide for a cross-fertilization between the agency and the private sector to foster mutual understanding, an exchange of ideas, or to bring experienced practitioners to the agency; residency programs through which participants gain experience in a Federal clinical environment; and programs that require a period of Government service in exchange for educational, financial or other assistance. Appointments under this authority may not exceed 4 years.

Note that OPM states that individuals may be hired non-competitively up to 4 years under this regulation.

This authority became effective on November 28, 1997.

Using the Schedule A

Different departments and agencies have different administrative procedures for implementing the Schedule A hiring exemption. Please refer to your own office's human resources department to learn more about the logistics of hiring an NSEP award recipient using Schedule A.

The NSEP award recipient will likely be required to submit proof of his or her status as an NSEP award recipient in good standing. A copy of the NSEPnet resume, acquired by the hiring official through NSEPnet, can serve as this proof. NSEP can also provide letters of certification on behalf on its award recipients. Contact service@nsepnet.org to request a letter of certification. If an award recipient, please refer to How NSEP Can Help before requesting such a letter.